Agip Oil Spillage: Imo Government Wades Into Ohaji-Egbema Pollution Crisis
Imo State Government has indicated interest towards addressing the recent restiveness occasioned by the recent of pollution of over thirteen communities in Ohaji/Egbema from the explosion of hydrocarbon storage tanks of AGIP.
The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere stated this when he paid an unscheduled visit to Obokofia, mmahu and the local government headquarters of Ohaji Egbema local governments.
Addressing some stakeholders after inspecting the level of pollution in Oloshi river and some of the affected areas, Prince Madumere said that the aim of the visit was to get firsthand information on the level of effect the pollution has had on the environment, which was caused by the oil spillage from storage facilities of AGIP Company operating in the area.
Prince Madumere who said he was directed by the Governor to personally come and see things himself said the government will partner with the leaders of the affected communities and bring the AGIP Oil Exploration Company to the round table to ensure that right things are done.
He therefore called on the affected communities especially the youths of the area to remain calm and urged them not to take laws into their hand.
He also reminded the people of Ohaji/Egbema the resolve of the Rescue Mission Government to ensure that every community is carried along and that none is left behind in the scheme of things.
Earlier in his remarks, the deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Chief Orji and the immediate past Transition Committee Chairman of Ohaji/Egbema local government area, Chief Gideon Mefor to their people stressed the need for their people to be calm and law abiding.
Other community leaders who spoke at various points are include Hon. Justice Harcourt and HRH, Eze Justice Okwuodu who explained that the explosion, which took place at Ibeocha location in Rivers State affected about thirteen communities of Ohaji/Egbema local government which, has affected house, polluted rivers, destroyed aquatic life and food web in the environment.
The decried the neglect of the oil companies especially AGIP for non-implementation of MoUs reached with many years back.
They therefore appealed to Imo State Government to wade into the matter since they do not want to take laws into their hands.
PHOTOS OF OHAJI/EGBEMA OIL SPILLAGE INSPECTION BY IMO DEPUTY GOVERNOR
1. Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere with his entourage inspects polluted Oloshi river in obokofia autonomous community
2. Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere arriving Ohaj/Egbema local government council headquarters for an interactive session with the people of the affected communities
3. Polluted oloshi river in obokofia
4. Cross section of the people of the affected communities in Ohaji/Egbema
5. Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere flanked by the immediate past T.C Chairman of Ohaji Egbema and HRH, Eze justice Okwuodu while addressing a cross section of Ohaji/Egbema people